Deepavali trips to native places by Chennaiites started from Sunday and the state transport and police departments are fully geared up to handle the rush.

A total number of 11,645 buses are being operated from the city to various parts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.

Peak pricing by some omni bus operators has allegedly hit passengers. Complaints about some operators charging between ₹1,400 and ₹2,200 for a one-way trip to Bengaluru circulating on social media has understandably reached the notice of the Transport Department.

A Transport department press release, on Friday, said that as many as 4,820 special buses will be operated from Chennai to various places in the State. This is in addition to the 2,275 scheduled services operated daily. Put together, a total of 11,645 buses will be run during the three days.

All buses bound for Andhra Pradesh will be operated from the Anna Nagar West bus stand while buses bound for Arcot, Arani, Vellore, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirupathur and Hosur will be operated from the Poonamallee bus stand.

From Tambaram Sanatorium, buses to Kumbakonam and beyond Tanjore via Tindivanam will depart. Buses to Puducherry, Cuddalore and Chidambaram via ECR will be operated from the Saidapet Depot.

For the ease of public for reservation of tickets, a total of 29 special ticket booking counters – 26 in Koyambedu, two in Tambaram Sanatorium and one in Poonamalle– would function for five days from next Thursday.

After the festival, for four days from October 19, as many as 3,794 special buses apart from the regular fleet of 2,275 will be operated from other places to Chennai.